February 2022 Test Drive

[jigokumods]

MAIN NAVIGATION

1. ENTRY

It feels like a dream as you wake up in what appears to be a government office. It is remarkably mundane: white walls, small screens with the number that is being served and at what desk, chairs along the perimeter of the room, and pleasant music playing from unseen speakers. There's nothing out of the ordinary, right?

Then you take a look at the inhabitants in the office: Lost Souls and youkai alike make up the ranks of a never-ending line in front of a desk manned by an akaname in a suit. However, another youkai, a hyakume, is your first contact in this world. You're instructed to take a number and stand in the queue. Take a seat if you want– but you're reminded to be quick when your number is called or you'll be passed by.

Congratulations: you're in Hell.

If you're lucky, you're in line behind a fellow Lost Soul. If you're less lucky, you're stuck behind any number of youkai that may be disturbing to look at or ones that may actively try to harm you. The ones with long arms may even try to steal your ticket from further back in the line.

Make small talk, try not to freak out, and keep your ticket safe (or maybe try to steal a better one) as you make your way up in the line.

2. THE CITY

Once you've been processed through the line, you're given your assignment to one of the four possible clans with directions to their respective clan offices. The city itself looks remarkably similar to a modern Japanese city, complete with narrow alleyways connecting wider streets. Glaring neon signs advertising various businesses compete for your attention, even the most mundane businesses.

Once you tear your attention away from the myriad distractions, your task is to find your way to the office. The akaname didn't exactly give you clear directions, just a piece of paper with an address printed on it. You’re on your own to find your way there.

• Those assigned to the Shuten Clan are directed to the gambling district.
  
• The Tamamo Clan members are directed to the red light district.
  
• New members of the Sutoku Alliance are pointed to the entertainment district.
  
• Those assigned to The Department of the Enma are sent to the administrative district.

Ask your fellow Lost Souls for directions or stubbornly find your way to the office all on your own. No matter how you get there, once you've made your way to the office you're given your lodgings (for rookies, it’s always the cheapest inn or apartment block in the area) and told to go out and get a feel for the city.

3. STREET FIGHT - SHUTEN TERRITORY

Scuffles break out all the time in Jigokucho, especially in the district dominated by the Shuten Clan. Whether it's a rival clan posturing over someone being on the wrong turf, shakedowns of all sorts, or just someone with a chip on their shoulder picking a fight: it always draws a crowd of onlookers.

No matter what street you're going down or what you're on your way to do, there always seems to be a fight to block the way. Take a look, take bets, or maybe you're the one caught in the brawl. Maybe someone decided they didn't like the way you looked at them or maybe they're trying to catch you in a petty scam. You may also feel the need to step in when fights are looking particularly one-sided.

Get used to this happening.

4. STICKY PAWS - SUTOKU TERRITORY

One of the more adorable features in the city is a cat cafe. Located within Sutoku territory, it always draws a steady crowd. If you're lured in by the adorable cats in the window, you're welcomed into a pleasant, cat-friendly environment with cats of every shape, color, and size lounging on various surfaces while being doted on by patrons. Of course not everything is as it seems: these are no ordinary cats. They're bakeneko in disguise and this cafe is a clever way to spirit away a few more coins for the Sutoku Alliance's coffers.

You may notice your wallet is a few (thousand) bills lighter at some point during your visit or your wallet may be missing entirely. Maybe it was one of your fellow patrons helping themselves while you were playing with a cat or maybe it was one of the cats. Who's to say? You quickly realize this place is not on the up and up; you have to do something about it.

Chase down one of the cats, confront your fellow patrons, or maybe try to shake down the owner for information. The latter won't get you very far, but maybe it'll make you feel better about losing your cash to a cute scam.

5. HELP WANTED - TAMAMO TERRITORY

CW: potentially NSFW, optional aphro

If you find yourself in the red light district, you might find yourself pulled into something else entirely. A scout in front of one of the numerous clubs drags you in off the street, assuming you're from the Tamamo Clan. It doesn't matter if you are or not, the scout is not listening to your protests. They say something about staffing shortages as you're shoved into the employee area of the club. The club manager then pushes some clothes at you and tells you to get out onto the floor once you're dressed. It might be a host club, it might be a bikini or banana bar, or maybe something even more salacious – whatever it is, you're working there for the night.

There are also barkers aggressively recruiting clients for these clubs, promising a good time for anyone who wants it. Whether it be the company of a pretty host or hostess, the lurid appeal of a strip show, or perhaps even other pleasures of the flesh: there's plenty to tempt even the most resistant.

Work at a club for the night or partake in the pleasures. Drinks flow like water, some with a little something extra to help things along. Everything is transactional here. As you have the money, you're bound to find something that tickles your fancy.

Welcome to the test drive meme!

• Threads here can be considered game canon.
• If you have any questions about the TDM content, please ask them here!
• If you have questions about the game itself, please check out the premise, FAQ, and rules pages.
• Reserves are open until March 5th.

Comments

[sunborne]

[ daylight cheerfully nods in acknowledgement at the words as he all but tosses the bully to the side, more than happy to ignore curses and the threats from them. it isn't long before the person simply skulks off after a few more potshots aimed at the two guys, their tail between their legs. hmph!

shaking the bad vibes from the guy off now, daylight begins to bounce back and forth on his heels, grinning. ] You're welcome! It's the least I can do, you know?

[ he holds his servo out for a handshake, if he's feeling up for it. ] I'm Daylight, by the way. Feel free to call me 'Day' if you want since I know that's easier!

I can escort you for the time being while you're in this district, if you want? That way no one tries to start anything again.

[moondregs]

[ He only accepts the handshake out of pure befuddlement. Only after it’s happened does he question why he went along with it, looking at his hand in disbelief. ]

... Junpei.

[ Taking a look down the street the boy considers the offer. There are sketchy types all over, and Daylight may be a ten foot talk talking robot, but he at least seems honestly friendly. Nodding slowly, he turns back to look up at the other. ]

If you really don’t mind ... ah, were you expecting some kind of payment for it or something?

[ That kind of thing happens, right? Protection money? ]

[sunborne]

[ protection money? oh. oh. ]

Oh!

No! Not at all! [ daylight looks surprised by the question and he's quick to raise his servos, waving them back and forth frantically as if to wave off the possibility he would ask for anything like that.

does he look that sketchy? (... kind of, yes, now that he thinks about the situation a bit more seriously but! let's not think on that too much.) ]

I just want to help out is all. Why not give someone a hand because I can? [ it's the best way to explain himself. while not the most elegant of answers, there's no denying the sincerity in day's voice or the way he perks up, his winglets behind him flicking up and down in earnestness. ]

[moondregs]

[ Now that the fear of being mauled is dissipating, Junpei is able to allow a little of his actual personality to shine through.

Unfortunately his actual personality is kind of cynical.

He lifts an eyebrow incredulously at Daylight. ]

... that sounds like something a cartoon character would say.

[ Realizing he’s being rude to someone who’s only been nice to him he sighs, rubbing his forehead. ]

Sorry. It’s just ... I’m not used to being helped.

[sunborne]

-Oh.

[ is it in response to be described as a cartoon character or the fact someone couldn't believe they're getting helped, with no strings attached?

it's hard to tell but day's optics flicker before he shakes his helm, looking determined and upbeat more than ever now that the moment has passed on his end. ]

Don't worry! I know this is pretty weird and all but I'll be here to give you a hand if you ever need it! And I'll always do it because, well, we gotta stick together when we're new to a place, you know?

[ for someone who finds himself in hell, daylight is surprisingly cheerful and optimistic about the whole thing. ]

I'll do my best to do what I can, promise!

[moondregs]

If I ever need it?

[ The other’s attitude is throwing Junpei for a loop. Helping him once is weird enough but offering to help him again in the future?

There’s a twinge of sadness in his expression as he remembers someone the bubbly kindness reminds him of. A second later he’s pushing the thought away to return his attention to Daylight. ]

You realize I could be a really bad person, right? You don’t know anything about me.

[sunborne]

[ to that, day just... shrugs? really?

really.

he looks a lot more thoughtful now as he considers the words he's about to say next - a rarity for him, with how he just blurts out whatever comes to mind - since he's trying to find a way to explain himself because.

yeah. that's a good point to bring up. ] There's a chance, I know, but that logic means I should never help anyone because they could be a really bad person. I don't want to do that. If I look at the world like that then how can I see the beauty in the adventure?

If it happens, I'll do my best to handle it down the line but! [ he smiles a chipper smile, back to blurting out what just comes to mind: ] I don't think I could give myself a second chance if I willingly turned a blind eye to someone needing support, you know?

[moondregs]

[ It’s so brightly optimistic. The complete opposite of the worldview the boy had come to adopt. ]

I guess you’ve probably met mostly good people.

[ He thinks about the world he’d left behind. The constant experiences of humans being cruel or cold to him. The world that had made him pursue his ideal of indifference. Was he just unlucky? Did he attract heartless people? ]

I’m afraid I can’t really see things the way you do anymore ...

[sunborne]

Ah... [ day looks surprised by the comment and then looks sympathetic.

ever since joining the lornful light and meeting his friend, he's gotten a better understanding of how lucky he was to have had the life he had, the... hiccups aside. it may have not been perfect but he knows it allowed him to remain the optimistic and bright guy people often comment he is.

his winglets droop, unsure of what to do or say in that moment, but he shakes his helm and tries to look confident as possible. it isn't long before his winglets bounce back in a high, friendly position. ]

I'll do what I can to a good person to you, then, so you know you've met one at least while you're here!

In fact- How about I escort you to wherever you need to go? I'll make sure no one bothers you again while we're together! I can promise you that much.

[moondregs]

I was just kind of wandering, really.

[ He was much too restless to settle into his assigned quarters. Everything that had happened today combined with his last memories of his life before weighed heavily on him. No matter how he tried to sort the clutter of his mind, it all remained a confusing, terrifying mess.

Still, there’s something about Daylight’s friendliness that has managed to worm its way past his walls. The thought of just refusing his offer doesn’t feel right. ]

But ... I guess unless you’ve got something you need to do, I wouldn’t mind walking with you for a little bit.

[sunborne]

[ perking up, daylight nods to the proposed arrangement. ]

Oh wow- Yeah! Sure! That would be fun. [ his winglets flick up in joy, happy to have a buddy during his aimless exploring of the place he's going to be called his home for the time being. (he hopes is the time being. in the back of his processor, he realizes his agreements never talked about him going back...

eh! he'll tackle that some other time.) for now, day looks sheepish while rubbing the back of his helm as he admits something: ] Honestly? I'm pretty much open for the rest of the day since I won't be working until tomorrow.

I was planning to do just some sightseeing before I head to my assigned living space. I've always wanted to see what a city would be like in this era after hearing all sorts of stories from my great-grandfather!